Stalk-cutter



2 Sheets-8heet 1.

(N0 Model.)

, R. L. PRICE.

' STALK CUTTER. No. 325,628., Patented Sept. 1, 1885.

(No Model.) 2 8heets--Sheet 2. R. L. PRICE.

STALK CUTTER. No. 325,628. Patented Sept. 1, 1885.

WITNESSES 1.7V VISA" T015 m. aw w 61/7. Sheen Altai-nay frame.

UNITED STATES PATENT @EEicE.

REUBEN TJ. PRICE, OF FORESTBURG, TEXAS.

STALK-CUTTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 325,628, dated September Application filed Scptcmb To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, REUBEN L. Peron, a citizen of the United States, residing at Forestburg, in the county of Montague and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stalk Cutters, of which the following is a specification, reference be ing had therein to the accompanying drawlugs.

This invention relates to certain improvements in stalk-cutters; and it has for. its ob jects to provide a machine which will accom modate itself to the irregularities of the soil over which it is worked, and effectually cutthe stalks or stubble in the field, so as to prepare it for plowing, as more full y hereinaftcr set forth. These objects I attain by the means illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my invention, and Fig. 2 a longitudinal ver tical sectional view of the same.

In the drawings, the letter A indicates the frame or carriage of the machine, which is mounted upon ordinary wheels, 13, being provided with a tongue, G, in front, and having a seat, 1), at the rear.

The letter E indicates a frame pivoted within the frame A upon a transverse rod, F. The said frame is provided with a number of apertures, G, through which said rod may be passed in order it) adjust the height of said At the lower end of said frame is journalcd a shaft, H, having a series of arms, I, carrying cuttiugblades Kwhich operate to cutthe stalks when the machine is in use. The frame E is also provided with a transverse shaft, L, to which the curved raketeeth M are attached. These teeth are bifurcated at their free ends to receive the curved points X, which are rivet-ed or bolted in place.

The letter 1 indicates a lever which is fulcrumed on a crossbar, R, of the frame E, and whose lower end is connected by means of a link, V, to a lug on the rake-shaft, said lug being located at about a right angle to the point of attachment of the rake-teeth. As the rake-shaft is loosely mounted in frame E it is evident that when the lever is opor 5, 1834. (No model.)

erated the cutter-frame will have no movement until the rake-shaft has made about a quarter-revolution, at which time the lever will commence acting on the frame. Thus it will be seen the rake-teeth are elevated to a certain extent independently of the cutterframe.

The lever l? is held in any desired position by engaging the ratcheted segment S,which is journaled to the platform T, and is provided with a spring foot-lever, J, by means of which it can be thrown into and out of engagement with the lever P.

The rake-teeth are held against the strain of the vegetable material by means of the links \V and perforated plates X, which are secured to hooks Y on the frame E. The frame E is also provided with books Z, which are secured to the links A by means of chains 13.

The links A are connected to the whiiile tree 0, and to the frame at each side, by means of the rods D.

When in operation the frame E is let down, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the rake traveling in front of the cutter, so as to rake in the stalks and bring them properly under the action of the cutter-blades, which rotate and thoroughly cut and chop the stalks.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

1. In a stalk-cutter, the col'nbination, with .a pivoted cutter-frame bearing revolving cutters, and a rakeshaft provided with raketeeth, of a lever for moving said frame into and out of working posit-ion, and ajournaled ratchet-segment with which the lever engages, said scgment provided with a spring foot-lever for throwing it out of engagement with the operating-lever, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a pivoted cutter-frame provided with revolving cutters mounted in a carriage, of a rake-shaft loose- I y mounted in said frame, raketeeth attached to said shaft and extending in front of the cutters, and an operatinglever fulcrumed at the upper end of the cutter-frame and con- In testimony whereof Iaffix my signature in nected at its lower end by means of a link presence of two witnesses. with a lug on the rake-shaft at about a right angle to the point of attachment of the I REUBEN PRICE rake-teeth, whereby the rake may be ele- Witnesses:

Vated independently of the cutter-frame, sub- F. M. WALKER,

stztntialiy as described. WV. 0. NORRIs. 

